James O'Connor: regional rugby might be the way forward until virus is beaten

Queensland Reds star fly-half James O'Connor said on Thursday that a local competition may be the best way forward for Australian international rugby as the domestic Super Rugby competition kicks-off this weekend with the coronavirus pandemic still very much in players and supporters' minds.

"The more we can play in Australia and keep the time zones here and if we can introduce a little bubble with New Zealand and possibly some of the Island teams as well, it would be exciting footy," O'Connor said, aiming a swipe at South African rugby at the same time.

"I'm not saying the South Africans don't (play exciting rugby), they play a brand of footy that they are very good at - but if the supporters want to see a bit more running then I think this is probably the way to go," O'Connor said.

The 29 year old will line-up at number 10 on Friday against the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium in a Queensland versus New South Wales encounter that always raises excitement in Australian sport.

"This is the rivalry you know, in terms of, from our perspective," O'Connor said. "Queensland and New South Wales - it's the one you want, no matter what code you're playing."

Financial uncertainty in Australian rugby has been dealt with on a temporary basis at least by an agreement reached on Wednesday that will see the players receive 70 per cent of their original wage when Super Rugby Au starts a five-team, 10-week set of home and away matches before a two-week playoff series in September.

Matches in Brisbane (Queensland) and Canberra (ACT) will be allowed a limited number of spectators due to both regions having low new infection rates of COVID-19.